UNFPA opens the Training and Research Centre in Population and Demography Baku, Thursday, 6 April 2006 - The Institute for Research and Training in labour and social issues under the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population (MLSPP) of Azerbaijan Republic hosted a ceremony of opening of Training and Research Centre in Population and Demography here today. A joint initiative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the MLSPP, the new Center will help develop national policies and programmes in the field of population and development, train local specialists in the area of demography and build the potential of interested organizations and individuals for scientific and research activities. Establishment of the training center in demography, the first of its kind in the Southern Caucasus and second in the CIS, was envisaged within the State Programme on Poverty Reduction and Economic Development (SPPRED) of Azerbaijan. Attended by Mr. Fizuli Alekperov, Minister of Labour and Social Protection of Population, Ms. Anne-Birgitte Albrectsen, UNFPA Country Director for Azerbaijan and Ms. Adila Abbasova, Deputy Chairperson of the Parliamentary Commission on Social Policy, the ceremony brought together representatives of the Government, academia and media. In his opening remarks, the Minister Alekperov noted the importance of the newly-launched Centre for implementation of demographic policy as part of the social policy of the country. He expressed his deep satisfaction with the level of cooperation with UNFPA. He thanked the Fund for extensive assistance rendered to the Ministry in accessing international expertise in variety of social issues. Addressing the audience, Ms. Anne-Birgitte Albrectsen said: "The Centre is truly a central part of ensuring development of the people of Azerbaijan. It will help policy-makers to take right decisions so that every population group can prosper from the benefit that Azerbaijan will see in the future." According to her, it is not just an issue of sharing prosperity, but also accelerating prosperity. Understanding the demographic trends in the country is a big advantage for the Government while deciding on the type of intervention to the social and economic policies. "It is an hour for UNFPA to be part of this partnership and to support the development of Azerbaijan both now and also in the future", Ms. Albrectsen concluded. For more information contact: Mr. Farid Babayev Programme Coordinator Tel: +99412 498 98 88 (ext. 124) Photo gallery

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